Using the Bioethical Principles of Solidarity and Subsidiarity to Advance Intersectional Feminism and Disability Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Gender is a social-cultural characteristic that links roles, identities and opportunities to the aspect of being male or female, while gender equity refers to the process of being fair to men and women in the treatment and access to opportunities. In sub-Saharan Africa, gender inequity among women persists and is worse for women with disabilities as they face additional barriers to accessing basic services such as education, housing, healthcare, mobility, employment and empowerment opportunities. Despite progressive reforms that mandate the participation of women, particularly women with disabilities at international and country levels, this group of women continue to face barriers to basic rights and participation. This opinion piece discusses the bioethical principles of solidarity and subsidiarity in advancing intersectional feminism and disability rights in sub-Saharan Africa. By definition, solidarity is the global coordination of a cause to protect human dignity based on the reality of our interconnectedness and quest for mutual flourishing. On the other hand, subsidiarity is the decentralization of decision-making processes among multiple stakeholders to empower populations with the greatest need. Hence, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity are progressive rights-based approaches that may be used to tackle structural inequalities and promote social protection systems for gender and disability. As such, sub-Saharan Africa stands to benefit from such frameworks to address forms of systemic oppression and facilitate respect for the rights and dignity of vulnerable populations such as women with disabilities. The rights of women with disabilities cannot be achieved in isolation as they are linked to other ethical principles of respect for difference, accessibility, and equality of opportunity. Therefore, if well implemented, acts of solidarity and subsidiarity transcend individual goals to advance collective action for intersectional and inclusive frameworks that meet the needs of women with disabilities in their complexities and diversity.